SUMMER 



rejoicing notes after days of compara- 

 tive quiet. 



The thunder caps on the flanks of 

 the great cloud swung to the North 

 and to the South, while the vanguard 

 of the great anvil slowly pushed East- 

 ward across the sun. Local conditions 

 rapidly changed. The winds, which 

 had been coming in gusts, died down 

 and a deadly calm prevailed. Birds 

 flitted uneasily from place to place 

 chirping in fright and seeking shelter 

 from the storm. High overhead a flock 

 of gulls flew Westward to meet the com- 

 ing tempest, and the purple martins 

 raced joyously over the woods, their 

 noisy twittering contrasting strangely 

 with the ominous quiet. 



A dull roar, which ever grew louder 

 and louder, approached the wood. A 

 long low rack of clouds which swept 

 rapidly forward in a line was followed 

 by an inky wall, the green of the trees 

 showing pale against it. Suddenly 

 the gloom was lit by a blinding flash, 

 instantly followed by a reverberating 

 crash of thunder. Great drops of rain 

 came driving through the dust-laden 

 57 



